This event took place on December 8, 2020. Read more here.

The above playlist includes the opening plenary; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Jewish Philanthropy in the West; Strategies for Supporting Jewish Organizations in the New Normal; Panic, Pivot & Transformation: What the Golden Calf Can Teach Us in the Pandemic.

Schedule/Speakers


The Jewish Funders Network is pleased to announce our inaugural JFN West* virtual regional convening. Members in our region will join together to share a dynamic experience with top-level content, critical knowledge sharing, and networking opportunities.

This event will embrace the unique flavor of the Jewish community in the West. We will explore both the challenges and opportunities we face in the wake of Covid-19: wildfires; expanding needs; and constricting resources. With leading experts in the field, we will discuss issues specific to Jewish philanthropy in the West, explore best philanthropic practices during a crisis, and consider a vision for our future, while meeting other JFN West members. Together, we will learn, inspire, and act.

Presenters include:

  • Dr. Una Osili, Efroymson Chair in Philanthropy and Associate Dean for Research and International Programs at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
  • Rachel Levin, President of Fundamental Inc, Executive Director of Righteous Persons Foundation, and co-founder of Reboot
  • Alexandra Shabtai, Advisory Board Member for Glazer Philanthropies, Board Member, At The Well
  • Ilana Kaufman, Executive Director for the Jews of Color Initiative
  • Rabbi Mary Zamore, Rabbinic Leader and Author of "The Sacred Exchange: Creating A Jewish Money Ethic"


While the JFN International Conference is usually the highlight of the JFN program year for many of our members, Covid-19 prevented us from convening in person this year. Instead, JFN has sponsored more than 100 virtual opportunities for our members to learn, connect, and gather. This regional convening is a vital piece in the overall continuum of programming. As we look to the future, we hope that you also will join us for our virtual 2021 International Conference in March, along with an Israel gathering (if conditions allow) in the fall of 2021.

Questions? Email [email protected] or [email protected]

*JFN West includes JFN members from Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, and Washington.

Planning Committee

Tamara Abrams • Daryl Messinger • Julie Platt • Cintra Pollack • Sean Ostrovsky (Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation) • Amy Rabbino (John Pritzker Family Fund)


Host Committee (in formation)

Barry Finestone (Jim Joseph Foundation) • John Fishel (Glazer Philanthropies) • Lisa Friedman • Jim Heeger • Lisa Hofheimer (Lee Liberman Foundation) •Doug Kahn (Feldman Foundation) • Doug Mandell • Amitai Raziel (Saban Family Foundation) • Mark Reisbaum • Orli Rinat • Dan Rothblatt (Jewish Community Foundation Los Angeles) • Benjamin Samuels • Jay Sanderson (The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles) • Charlene Seidle (Leichtag Foundation) • Steve Sim • Joy Sisisky (Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund) • Carol Spungen • Jean-Louis Velaise (Lucie and Louis Weil Bloch Foundation, Zurich) • Howard Zack • Marcie Zelikow


Sponsors (in formation)

Dare Foundation - Orli & Zack Rinat
Diane & Guilford Glazer Philanthropies
Fred Isaac
Lee Liberman Foundation
Jewish Community Foundation Los Angeles
John Pritzker Family Fund
Daryl Messinger and Jim Heeger
Julie Beren Platt
The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation
Samis Foundation
Mitchell Singer